Former Portuguese international Nuno Gomes was a distinguished participant in the FIFA Foundation mission to Beira, Mozambique, to help the recovery effort in areas affected by Cyclone Idai in March.

The delegation met with the Mozambican Football Federation and visited sports facilities destroyed by the natural disaster, with the aim of assessing the damage and, above all, identifying the most effective ways to offer help.

On Tuesday, Nuno Gomes joined his former Portugal team-mate and current Mozambique national team coach Abel Xavier to visit a school in the Manga neighbourhood, one of those worst affected by the cyclone. The two stars organised a training session with the students, who were then given an initial donation of clothing.

“I’m happy and proud to be accompanying the FIFA Foundation on its mission and offering a little help to this very special country, which has suffered so much from this disaster. I hope I can at least contribute in some small way to help Mozambican youth continue practising sport,” said Gomes, who is a member of the FIFA Legends programme, through which former footballers are invited to participate in events and initiatives organised by world football’s governing body.

"Now, more than ever, is when football must be more than just a game. If ever there was a reason to make use of the popularity of the sport, it is this: to help those who need it most.”

Later this week, after the visit to Beira, the Foundation will continue its mission to Africa as part of the recovery programme, with stops planned in two other countries affected by Cyclone Idai: Malawi and Zimbabwe.

Established in 2018, the FIFA Foundation is an independent entity whose goal is to use the power of football to promote positive social change.